Shrimp Aquaculture: India
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 14:20 - 18:00 Hall 4
Chair: Saji Cacko
Presentation Abstracts:
14.20 Bird’s Eye View of the Indian Shrimp Aquaculture Sector
Saji Chacko - President, Society of Aquaculture Professionals (SAP), Chennai, India
Abstract:
India’s shrimp aquaculture sector has emerged as a global leader—resilient, adaptive, and forward-looking. In 2024, production reached approximately 930,000 metric tons, marking a 9% year-on-year increase, driven primarily by Litopenaeus vannamei and renewed adoption of SPF Penaeus monodon. Despite global trade headwinds and reciprocal tariffs in major markets, India’s export value rose to USD 7.45 billion, underscoring strong market resilience. Drawing on SAP’s Shrimp Crop Review 2024 and MPEDA data, this paper presents production trends, regional dynamics, and strategic imperatives—strengthening biosecurity, promoting digitalisation, diversifying species, and expanding domestic demand.
With 80% of output contributed by small and marginal farmers, the sector remains vital to rural livelihoods and national growth. SAP advocates a National Shrimp Mission to raise domestic consumption by 30% by 2030—empowering farmers, enhancing income stability, and positioning India toward a smarter, more sustainable aquaculture future.
14.40 Advancements in Shrimp Nutrition and Feed Production
Dr. A. V. Suresh, Past President, Society of Aquaculture Professionals (SAP), Chennai, India
Abstract:
Diseases, stressful environmental conditions and ever-increasing cost of feed against stable or declining shrimp prices remain the three most important challenges faced by farmers. Advancements in genetics, health management and nutrition endeavour to produce solutions. The talk will highlight the solutions from the nutrition and feed technology perspective and cover the relevance of functional feeds and economics driven by feed choice and applications.
15.00 Evolution and the Future of Indian Shrimp Hatcheries
- Ramraj, Past President, Society of Aquaculture Professionals (SAP), Chennai, India
Abstract:
Shrimp hatcheries form the cornerstone of India’s aquaculture value chain, supplying the seed stock that drives shrimp farming and export growth. Over the past four decades, the sector has evolved from small, experimental facilities dependent on wild Penaeus monodon broodstock into a large, technology-driven network of about 550 hatcheries equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure. These hatcheries now produce Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) stocks of Litopenaeus vannamei and Penaeus monodon under regulated biosecurity conditions. This paper reviews the historical development of Indian shrimp hatcheries, their technological progress, and their contribution to national export earnings exceeding US $7 billion annually. It also highlights persistent challenges — including dependence on imported broodstock, production inefficiencies, market saturation, and regulatory bottlenecks. Looking ahead, the future of Indian hatcheries depends on developing indigenous SPF, selectively bred broodstock for native species, strengthening biosecurity and certification systems, adopting new technologies, and improving productivity and post-larval quality. Utilizing existing infrastructure for species diversification will be key to sustaining the hatchery sector.
15.20 Reset. Rethink. Reposition: India’s Shrimp Industry in the Age of Trade Barriers
Ravikumar Yellanki, Past President, Society of Aquaculture Professionals (SAP), Chennai, India
Abstract:
India’s shrimp industry, once the undisputed leader in global exports, now faces a new era defined by trade barriers, tariff challenges, and evolving consumer dynamics. The recent shifts in U.S. import policies and intensifying competition from Latin American producers have exposed the vulnerabilities of India’s export-centric model. At the same time, rising costs, disease threats, and quality inconsistencies continue to test the industry’s resilience.
This talk, titled “Reset. Rethink. Reposition: India’s Shrimp Industry in the Age of Trade Barriers,” examines how the sector must recalibrate to sustain growth in this changing global environment. It calls for a reset of our production and market assumptions, a rethinking of strategies to improve efficiency, traceability, and branding, and a repositioning of Indian shrimp within both global and domestic value chains.
By embracing diversification—toward emerging markets and domestic consumers—along with technology-driven farming, stronger biosecurity, and an emphasis on sustainability, India can turn adversity into advantage. The discussion will highlight actionable pathways for industry stakeholders to move from reactive adjustments to proactive transformation, ensuring that Indian shrimp remains a symbol of quality, reliability, and innovation in the global seafood trade.
15.40 Pond to Pixel - Reimagining Aquaculture Processing
Aditya Dash, Managing Director, Ram's Assorted Cold Storage
Abstract:
Consumers want "Fresh”, they don't want "Processed”, think Licious. Farmers want better prices.
I will focus on rethinking processing. While the traditional school of thought would be more about more efficiencies and automation.
I will instead focus on minimally processed options. In a hyper connected asset light world, perhaps we don't need to do things the same way again.
16.20 Sustainable and resilient shrimp farming practices of India
Dr. Srinivasa Rao Patchala, Senior Technical Manager, Avanti Feeds Ltd
Abstract:
Indian shrimp production is about to reach an all-time high, with expectations of 1.1 million metric tons by the year 2025. The increase in number of farmers, the expansion of farming areas, and improvements in farming practices and productivity. India is currently the only country that supplies 100 grams of Black Tiger shrimp to the global food basket. Main strengths of shrimp farming in India are small and medium-scale farmers. Also adopting proven technologies, such as Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) broodstock, low carbon footprint by using water efficiently without effecting agriculture, helps in sustainable farming practices. By making the best use of prebiotics and probiotics, to enhance the health and growth of the shrimp.
India’s largest infrastructure for handling, harvesting, and processing shrimp, allows for effective postharvest management throughout the country, ensuring that the shrimp are ready in the best possible condition. Indian shrimp farming is becoming more sustainable and resilient in the global market. Overall, advanced farming techniques and solid infrastructure positions Indian shrimp farming for significant success in the coming years. As we move towards 2026, we expect more growth and innovation in shrimp industry, making India a leading supplier of shrimp around the world.
16.40 Panel discussion
Presentation Abstracts:
14.20 Bird’s Eye View of the Indian Shrimp Aquaculture Sector
Saji Chacko - President, Society of Aquaculture Professionals (SAP), Chennai, India
Abstract:
India’s shrimp aquaculture sector has emerged as a global leader—resilient, adaptive, and forward-looking. In 2024, production reached approximately 930,000 metric tons, marking a 9% year-on-year increase, driven primarily by Litopenaeus vannamei and renewed adoption of SPF Penaeus monodon. Despite global trade headwinds and reciprocal tariffs in major markets, India’s export value rose to USD 7.45 billion, underscoring strong market resilience. Drawing on SAP’s Shrimp Crop Review 2024 and MPEDA data, this paper presents production trends, regional dynamics, and strategic imperatives—strengthening biosecurity, promoting digitalisation, diversifying species, and expanding domestic demand.
With 80% of output contributed by small and marginal farmers, the sector remains vital to rural livelihoods and national growth. SAP advocates a National Shrimp Mission to raise domestic consumption by 30% by 2030—empowering farmers, enhancing income stability, and positioning India toward a smarter, more sustainable aquaculture future.
14.40 Advancements in Shrimp Nutrition and Feed Production
Dr. A. V. Suresh, Past President, Society of Aquaculture Professionals (SAP), Chennai, India
Abstract:
Diseases, stressful environmental conditions and ever-increasing cost of feed against stable or declining shrimp prices remain the three most important challenges faced by farmers. Advancements in genetics, health management and nutrition endeavour to produce solutions. The talk will highlight the solutions from the nutrition and feed technology perspective and cover the relevance of functional feeds and economics driven by feed choice and applications.
15.00 Evolution and the Future of Indian Shrimp Hatcheries
- Ramraj, Past President, Society of Aquaculture Professionals (SAP), Chennai, India
Abstract:
Shrimp hatcheries form the cornerstone of India’s aquaculture value chain, supplying the seed stock that drives shrimp farming and export growth. Over the past four decades, the sector has evolved from small, experimental facilities dependent on wild Penaeus monodon broodstock into a large, technology-driven network of about 550 hatcheries equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure. These hatcheries now produce Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) stocks of Litopenaeus vannamei and Penaeus monodon under regulated biosecurity conditions. This paper reviews the historical development of Indian shrimp hatcheries, their technological progress, and their contribution to national export earnings exceeding US $7 billion annually. It also highlights persistent challenges — including dependence on imported broodstock, production inefficiencies, market saturation, and regulatory bottlenecks. Looking ahead, the future of Indian hatcheries depends on developing indigenous SPF, selectively bred broodstock for native species, strengthening biosecurity and certification systems, adopting new technologies, and improving productivity and post-larval quality. Utilizing existing infrastructure for species diversification will be key to sustaining the hatchery sector.
15.20 Reset. Rethink. Reposition: India’s Shrimp Industry in the Age of Trade Barriers
Ravikumar Yellanki, Past President, Society of Aquaculture Professionals (SAP), Chennai, India
Abstract:
India’s shrimp industry, once the undisputed leader in global exports, now faces a new era defined by trade barriers, tariff challenges, and evolving consumer dynamics. The recent shifts in U.S. import policies and intensifying competition from Latin American producers have exposed the vulnerabilities of India’s export-centric model. At the same time, rising costs, disease threats, and quality inconsistencies continue to test the industry’s resilience.
This talk, titled “Reset. Rethink. Reposition: India’s Shrimp Industry in the Age of Trade Barriers,” examines how the sector must recalibrate to sustain growth in this changing global environment. It calls for a reset of our production and market assumptions, a rethinking of strategies to improve efficiency, traceability, and branding, and a repositioning of Indian shrimp within both global and domestic value chains.
By embracing diversification—toward emerging markets and domestic consumers—along with technology-driven farming, stronger biosecurity, and an emphasis on sustainability, India can turn adversity into advantage. The discussion will highlight actionable pathways for industry stakeholders to move from reactive adjustments to proactive transformation, ensuring that Indian shrimp remains a symbol of quality, reliability, and innovation in the global seafood trade.
15.40 Pond to Pixel - Reimagining Aquaculture Processing
Aditya Dash, Managing Director, Ram's Assorted Cold Storage
Abstract:
Consumers want "Fresh”, they don't want "Processed”, think Licious. Farmers want better prices.
I will focus on rethinking processing. While the traditional school of thought would be more about more efficiencies and automation.
I will instead focus on minimally processed options. In a hyper connected asset light world, perhaps we don't need to do things the same way again.
16.20 Sustainable and resilient shrimp farming practices of India
Dr. Srinivasa Rao Patchala, Senior Technical Manager, Avanti Feeds Ltd
Abstract:
Indian shrimp production is about to reach an all-time high, with expectations of 1.1 million metric tons by the year 2025. The increase in number of farmers, the expansion of farming areas, and improvements in farming practices and productivity. India is currently the only country that supplies 100 grams of Black Tiger shrimp to the global food basket. Main strengths of shrimp farming in India are small and medium-scale farmers. Also adopting proven technologies, such as Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) broodstock, low carbon footprint by using water efficiently without effecting agriculture, helps in sustainable farming practices. By making the best use of prebiotics and probiotics, to enhance the health and growth of the shrimp.
India’s largest infrastructure for handling, harvesting, and processing shrimp, allows for effective postharvest management throughout the country, ensuring that the shrimp are ready in the best possible condition. Indian shrimp farming is becoming more sustainable and resilient in the global market. Overall, advanced farming techniques and solid infrastructure positions Indian shrimp farming for significant success in the coming years. As we move towards 2026, we expect more growth and innovation in shrimp industry, making India a leading supplier of shrimp around the world.
16.40 Panel discussion